Last weekend, I took part in the first Photo Day at the West Lancashire Light Railway, and what a brilliant day it was, despite the rain!
The Intrepid, 'Big Bertha'
For ages, I’ve wanted to take my Intrepid 4x5 Mk V large format camera along to this lovely little railway. I’ve been photographing here for years, but frankly, I’ve never had the courage to bring something quite so big and deliberate with me - the closes I've got has been my Ilford Obscura pinhole on a tripod, and that felt conspicuous enough! When I was approached about the photo day, though, I only really had one option and I was determined to make it happen. 'I may never get the chance again', I thought!
I only shot six sheets on the 4x5—just three compositions—but I wanted to take my time and make sure I came away with something I’d be proud of. It’ was always going to be a bit of a gamble, shooting large format in this kind of situation, especially when juggling movements, rain, and wet wooden sleepers underfoot and asking crews to hold for a few minutes whilst other photographers are looking at you like you're a complete plonker, but I don't care to be honest as it was absolutely worth it. I’m no stranger to developing my own film, but I’ll admit I was nervous pulling this set out of the tank. Luckily, the results didn’t disappoint. I’ve photographed around Becconsall, Willow Tree Halt, and Delph many times before, but this trio of images is without doubt my favourite set from the West Lancashire Light Railway... so far!
The film I used for these was Fomapan 100 large format sheets, which I developed in Rodinal 1+50 for 9 minutes. The detail and tonality are lovely.
'Veronica', the Bronica
Alongside the big Intrepid, I also brought my Bronica SQ-Ai, paired with my 40mm, 80mm, and 150mm lenses. It’s a setup I know well, and it’s perfect for capturing the railway’s mix of tight angles and open sidings.
These were all shot on Ilford HP5+ at EI 400, and developed as a semi-stand process in Rodinal (1+100) for 80 minutes. I gave the film an initial minute of inversions, then just 10 seconds at the 30- and 60-minute marks—my usual method. The negatives were digitised using my Nikon Z7 and 60mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor, then converted in Negative Lab Pro. I was really pleased with how the contrast held up in the damp light, and the tonal range is great. I went for semi-stand Rodinal film development process here as I wasn't 100% sure of my metering. I'd confirmed the shots that I could but there was still a nagging doubt in the back of my mind and semi-stand is a tried and tested way to help mitigate metering mishaps!
'The Old Boy', my 1934 Ensign Greyhound.
Finally, I brought along something a little bit different—a camera from another age entirely. My 1934 Houghton-Butcher Ensign Greyhound, a folding medium format camera that’s got all the charm (and quirks) of a vintage car.
Again, I shot on HP5+, using the same semi-stand development method in Rodinal (1+100) for 80 minutes. These shots were, in a way, the most fun. There’s a magic in using an old folding camera, especially in such a setting, and I was really happy to include a few portraits of Froddy and get some different perspectives on familiar scenes.
I actually love this old camera. Sure it doesn't take pin-sharp photos, I've tested the shutter and measured the apertures as closely as I can but I'm still not 100 of the exposure controls but it's a really liberating camera to use - Just point it and click. Semi-stand for best results! The simple, and joyful experience of vintage folding camera photography!
Final Thoughts
A huge thank you to everyone who organised, volunteered, and helped to make the day such a success. The unlimited brews and pie and peas lunch were very much appreciated, and the rain never dampened spirits.
The Intrepid, Big Bertha's shots:
'Veronica' the Broncia's shots:
The Old Boy Greyhound's shots:
Thanks again for a cracking day—hopefully the first of many!
Olly!
PS: don't forget you can follow me on Insta or see some more recent photos over on my Flickr Page, or you can buy me a coffee or help buy a roll of film with the link to Ko-Fi, below! Thanks!
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